Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion: Director of the Center

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Design seeks a Director to lead the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion. The Center extends the School of Design’s reach by serving as a coordinated design presence on campus and an administrative hub for campus design courses, professional education, sponsored projects, and collaborations. The Director will build on existing courses, workshops, professional education engagements, and sponsored and collaborative projects, working closely with the Head of the School of Design, faculty, and administrative staff. The position will refine current offerings, develop partnerships on and off campus, identify viable funding opportunities, and coordinate educational activities that complement the School of Design’s agenda.

The Director will develop the Center’s public profile, mission, vision, business plan, and brand positioning; build strategic relationships that support funding and collaboration; and coordinate the development and delivery of courses and other educational activities. The Director will oversee the Center’s day-to-day operations, proposals, projects, budgets, and the recruitment and coordination of faculty, staff, and students. The role may also involve teaching, course or workshop facilitation, and developing workshops, symposia, and conferences.

This is a full-time, fixed-term staff position based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Normal business hours are required, with occasional evening and weekend work and occasional travel to or work at off-campus or remote locations. A successful background check is required, along with OSHA Hazardous Materials Safety Training.

Requirements

• Master’s degree; comparable knowledge demonstrated through a combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Five to eight years of experience in a leadership role managing ongoing relationships and serving as a primary liaison with corporate and foundation representatives, faculty, academic and administrative leadership, and other key stakeholders.
• Five to eight years of experience identifying, analyzing, and communicating information relevant to developing successful relationships with corporate and foundation prospects.
• Five to eight years of experience developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies and programs to identify new relationships.
• Five to eight years of experience managing budgets efficiently while maintaining accurate and auditable records.
• Strong leadership and development skills, with experience leading a center or business.
• Ability to work effectively with varied internal and external partners with integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to adapt to change, work independently and as part of a team, manage emergencies or crises, handle sensitive information confidentially, maintain accurate records, and remain composed in difficult situations.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and interruptions, follow directions, prioritize work, and manage multiple tasks.
• Visual acuity for extended computer use, reading, transcribing, data and figure analysis, visual inspection, and related close-vision tasks.
• Successful background check.
• OSHA Hazardous Materials Safety Training.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate degree preferred.
• Leadership and development experience in a higher education setting.

Responsibilities

• Pursue opportunities for sustained growth, including transdisciplinary, design-led research projects with CMU students and faculty and industry and nonprofit partners.
• Develop and coordinate workshops, symposia, and conferences for internal and external audiences as appropriate.
• Work with the School of Design Head, faculty, staff, students, and CMU offices to develop the Center’s public profile, mission, vision, business plan, brand positioning, and promotional materials.
• Build strategic relationships with industry and nonprofit partners to support funding opportunities, sponsored projects, and meaningful collaborations.
• Work with CFA Advancement staff, the CMU Center for Business Engagement and Foundation Relations Offices, the Office of Sponsored Programs, and the Office of Research & Creative Practice at CFA.
• Coordinate with faculty, including new and existing adjuncts, to develop, coordinate, and oversee courses, professional education, and other educational activities that meet School of Design and CMU objectives.
• Coordinate customized classes or course modules and projects with faculty across campus, as appropriate.
• Engage directly in teaching and course or workshop facilitation, as appropriate.
• Oversee the Center’s day-to-day management and activities.
• Develop research and project proposals and oversee projects.
• Recruit and coordinate faculty, staff, and students working through the Center.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to support their engagement in the Center’s teaching, education, and research opportunities.
• Manage budgets, maintain accurate records and reports, and oversee appropriate use of University and third-party funds.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition benefits.
• Paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life, accidental death, and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Family Concierge Team assistance with childcare needs.
• Fitness center access.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director